Cars 2018 Audi A7 first drive: a masterclass in luxury and style

15:16 13 february 2018

15:16 13 february 2018 Source:
Motoring Research

Audi RS2 review: driving the original ‘practical Porsche’

Audi’s RS2 sped into view and kickstarted the performance load-lugger genre. And it certainly was conspicuous when painted RS Blue Pearl (a dozen less attention-grabbing colours were also available). Launched in 1994, the RS2 was based on the B4 80 Avant, and packed a 315hp, 144hp-per-litre punch.Powered by a 2.2-litre, 20-valve, five-cylinder engine borrowed from the 230hp S2 Avant, the RS2 boasted a KKK turbocharger that was 30 per cent larger, running 1.4 bar of boost. A six-speed manual gearbox sent power to all four wheels, while a manually-operated locking differential was employed on the rear axle.

The four-door coupe sets standards in the luxury class when it comes to progressiveness. It embodies a new style of Gran Turismo, with dynamic lines, systematic digitalization, a sporty driving experience and a versatile space concept. The New Audi A 8 2018 Test Drive . Alaatin61. FINALLY!

How do buyers in the premium segment approach buying a new car? Most have a brand in mind: Audi, BMW or Mercedes-Benz, perhaps, or even a Lexus or Jaguar if they’re looking for something a bit different.

Vauxhall Corsa GSi confirmed for late 2018

A warm Corsa is coming, with a GSI badge and more everyday levels of performance than the hardcore VXR modelThe Corsa GSi is expected to have around 150bhp; well down on the 202bhp Corsa VXR at the top of the range. Its bodywork will be more aggressively styled along the lines of the Insignia GSi, although toned down from the racier VXR.

It's hard to imagine a more complete mid-size luxury car than the 2018 Audi A 7 , which balances handling and ride quality with gorgeous styling and above average utility. For a review of the sportier S7, check out Motor Authority's first drive review. Review continues below.

Audi’s growth in recent years should not be underestimated. In 2017, it took 6.9 percent of the market share – up from a tiny 0.7% just 15 years ago. And a lot of that growth can be attributed to brand image. Audi has gone from being the underdog to being the premium brand that people want to be associated with.

And, cleverly, it’s rather cashed in on that. There’s now a model for every niche, from the small Q2 crossover to the big A7 coupe – the latter on sale since 2011.

The firm says it combines the svelte good looks of a coupe with the space and comfort of a saloon, along with the versatility offered by an estate. Its new model, driven here, made its public debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November and is set to go on sale in spring.

In building that strong brand image, Audi has been guilty of ‘cut and paste’ design in recent years. But then, if each car it sold was drastically different, people wouldn’t be able to form a clear image of what Audi is and represents.

BMW and Ford drivers most likely to have their car stolen or written-off

Claims for write-offs are up 55 percent since 2014 – and Ford and BMW drivers are most at risk, says warranty company.&nbsp;The analysis has been carried out by the warranty company’s GAP insurance division, which can cover the shortfall that might arise from an insurer’s comprehensive policy settlement. It found that BMW and Ford each accounted for 17 percent of overall GAP claims, followed by Mercedes-Benz (11 percent), Vauxhall (11 percent) and Audi (4 percent).

The 2018 Audi A 7 finishes near the top of our luxury large car rankings, which is impressive considering there are really no bad cars in this class . The A 7 delivers performance and luxury in an appealing package.

On first impressions, that’s still the case with the new A7. Audi flew us out to Cape Town for its launch (yes, Ingolstadt’s PR budget seems to be recovering after Dieselgate) and, under the the bright blue January skies, the A7 looked pretty generic at first glance.

But look closer and a game of ‘spot the difference’ between the old and new becomes easier. At the rear – which is where the alterations are the most obvious – there’s a full-width LED tail-light, which performs swish animations when you lock or unlock the car.

Of course, there are similarities with the latest A8 – not least because they’re both take inspiration from the 2014 Prologue concept car. There’s a huge grille – wider and sitting lower than the A8’s – just to make sure passers-by are absolutely sure you’re driving an Audi.

Ancelotti has his heart set on London

Former Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain coach Carlo Ancelotti reportedly has his heart set on a move to London. The Mirror report that the Italian, who has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal, has played down suggestions of a return to Paris. Ancelotti is said to be hoping to secure a job in London this summer. The Ligue 1 side had enquired about 58-year-old as they seek a replacement for Unai Emery. He has also been linked with a return to Stamford Bridge, where he still thought of very highly, but is thought to be some way down the pecking order to replace Antonio Conte. Former Barcelona manager Luis Enrique appears to be the front-runner to replace the under-pressure Chelsea head coach. Arsenal have been touted as a possible destination, with Ancelotti seen as a possible candidate to replace Arsene Wenger this summer, should the latter decide to leave. There have been calls for Wenger to leave the club this summer as the Gunners continue to struggle to hold down a place in the top four.

Read our most comprehensive review of the 2018 Audi A 7 's standard features, trim levels 2019 Audi A 7 : Similarly Slinky Looks, Lots of New Technology. Style meets practicality. Again. Once known as the ultimate driving machine, the mid-size BMW has become an impressive all-around luxury sedan.

08 Feb 2018 Stephen Ottley. If you were a fan of the first -generation Audi A 7 , chances are If you’re seeking a luxury car that will get you noticed but don’t like the idea of a conventional sedan, and Few cars at any price manage to combine style and technology with engaging driving properties and

The headlights are narrower than the A8’s, with buyers getting a choice of options, topped by the firm’s flagship matrix LED lights with laser tech.

With its long, wide and low stance (it’s actually ever-so-slightly shorter than the old model), the new A7 does the whole ‘aggressive Audi’ thing pretty well. Yes, there is an element of copy and paste, but it’s easy on the eye.

First seat

We have high expectations when it comes to Audi interiors, and fortunately the A7’s cabin leaves little to be desired. There’s plenty of space, while the seats are comfortable and it’s easy to find a good driving position. Everything feels very upmarket, of course, and there’s plenty of tech to keep driver and passengers entertained.

The new 2018 Audi A 7 still competes in the same luxury segment, but with the model already looking good with the given updates and with it providing so many praises already, we can only say that it is good that they did not change a whole lot about the model.

The new Q5's interior is a tidy and nicely outfitted space, with upscale, modern-feeling options like a choice of open-pore wood or real aluminum trim, and techy bits like the Q7- style electronic shift knob and the so-called Virtual Audi First Drives Crossover Luxury 2018 audi q5 audi audi q5 review.

One thing the Audi A7 could be accused of lacking is a slight sense of occasion. Sure, the cabin is extremely upmarket, with lots of expensive-feeling materials. But it’s also rather anodyne. A bit ‘same again’. It does the job very, very well, but it’s all a bit magnolia.

If you’re concerned that the A7’s sleek roofline hampers interior space, worry not. There’s plenty of headroom in the rear – more than the outgoing model – while cabin length has been increased by 21mm. Not a massive amount, but we never found legroom an issue in the old A7 either.

First drive

The A7 will be launched with a 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine badged 55 TFSI under Audi’s new naming strategy and producing 340hp. A V6 diesel producing 286hp and badged the 50 TDI will follow shortly after, while further four- and six-cylinder petrol and diesels are expected in the future.

We drove both the 55 TFSI and 50 TDI in South Africa, and found them both to be refined and powerful units. The petrol in particularly is extremely hushed – so quiet, in fact, that you can hear the fan for the cooled seats whirring away. Loud fan or extremely quiet engine? We’re not so sure.

While there’s a hint of giveaway rumble from the diesel, it doesn’t intrude excessively into the cabin. Like the A8, the A7 is a car that does refinement better than almost anything else on the market.

The problem with large wheels

My car may not look as good as one whose owner went for the large-wheel option, but it will be far more comfortable to drive. The world's best-selling cars in 2017 (Motoring Research) The world's best-selling cars in 2017 revealed Follow us on Facebookand on Twitter

The four-door coupe sets standards in the luxury class when it comes to progressiveness. It embodies a new style of Gran Turismo, with dynamic lines, systematic digitalization, a sporty driving experience and a versatile Audi A 7 2018 NEW FULL In Depth Drive And Review S Line Interior Exterior 2019.

2018 Audi A 7 . Interior. #2 out of 10 in Luxury Large Cars. Review. Photos. However, that same design also leads to the A 7 ’s hatchback- style rear door, which is why this Audi has terrific cargo space for the class .

It’s a big car, and cruising along the motorway is where it feels most at home. You’re extremely aware of its dimensions when tackling city streets, but there’s no shortage of tech on hand to help you out.

In fact, like the A8, it’s technology that the A7 aces on. Audi says there are no fewer than 39 driver assistance systems available, including adaptive cruise, Audi’s Parking System Plus (featuring a rear-view camera), and a front collision warning system that will apply the brakes if it detects an impending crash.

Buyers can even opt for all-wheel steer to help negotiate tight corners around town and improve the handling at higher speeds.

Although the A7 is at its best on the motorway, there is one caveat: its steering does seem ever-so-slightly nervous at speed. It’s not a major concern, and it might just be because the A7 is intended to be sportier than the A8, but it’s something that we did notice on our early drive in South Africa.

It could also be because of the lane assist system, which nudges the steering wheel if it detects you wandering out of lane, or even the optional all-wheel steer fitted to our test car.

Like the A8, the A7 has been designed to incorporate a mild hybrid drivetrain that allows the V6 engines to shut down entirely at speeds between 34 and 99mph, making the A7 coast in freewheeling mode and channeling electricity into the battery during braking.

Lexus RC and RC F updated with new tech for 2018

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Audi hopes its 2018 A5 Sportback (and S5 Sportback) will fill a niche for fickle Americans who don’t want either a traditional three-box sedan or a crossover SUV. Like the A 7 , the luxurious Sportback combines four-door coupe styling with a cleverly integrated hatchback. I just drove back to downtown

In-Depth Reviews First Drives Instrumented Tests Comparison Tests Behind the four interlocking rings on the grille lives a four-door luxury fastback with timelessly sexy styling , standard features galore, a refined 2018 Audi A 7 . A fabulous four-door fastback fueled from the fountain of youth.

Curiously, the 50 TDI uses an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic gearbox while the 55 TFSI utilities a seven-speed S Tronic ‘box. Engineers remain coy around the reasons why: we suspect the Tiptronic copes better with the torque provided by the V6 diesel engine. In truth, both gearboxes offer fairly quick and seamless changes.

First verdict

If we were to say the Audi A7 is exactly as we’d expect, that’s not to be taken as criticism. In recent years, Audi’s interiors have been the best in the business, while it has the refined driving experience pretty nailed down, too.

We can tell that Audi’s had a bit of fun developing the new A7 (and A8), however. Fun in a very German sense, at least. There are lots of clever features, and the design takes it to the next level compared to its predecessor.

The driving experience is extremely refined, and the two V6 engines we’ve tried can’t be faulted. Would we like a little more flair? Yes, but that’s never where Audi has excelled. If that’s what you’re after, you might want to spend a little more on the Porsche Panamera or Bentley Continental GT…

Red Bull F1 launch: 2018 RB14 revealed in temporary livery .
Red Bull Racing has become the latest Formula 1 team to unveil its new car ahead of the upcoming 2018 season .The RB14 has been unveiled with a striking blue camouflage-style livery instead of the team's familiar racing colours.But Red Bull has made it clear the livery is "special edition", and that the colour scheme that will be used in race trim will only break cover at pre-season testing at Barcelona.The Renault-powered RB14 will be piloted by Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo, who combined for three race wins with its predecessor last year.The #RB14 from every angle

The four-door coupe sets standards in the luxury class when it comes to progressiveness. It embodies a new style of Gran Turismo, with dynamic lines, systematic digitalization, a sporty driving experience and a versatile space concept. The New Audi A 8 2018 Test Drive . Alaatin61. FINALLY!

Audi A 7 First Drive Review | More than just a prettier face | Audi Forum - audiforum.us

It's hard to imagine a more complete mid-size luxury car than the 2018 Audi A 7 , which balances handling and ride quality with gorgeous styling and above average utility. For a review of the sportier S7, check out Motor Authority's first drive review. Review continues below.

The 2018 Audi A 7 finishes near the top of our luxury large car rankings, which is impressive considering there are really no bad cars in this class . The A 7 delivers performance and luxury in an appealing package.

08 Feb 2018 Stephen Ottley. If you were a fan of the first -generation Audi A 7 , chances are If you’re seeking a luxury car that will get you noticed but don’t like the idea of a conventional sedan, and Few cars at any price manage to combine style and technology with engaging driving properties and

The new 2018 Audi A 7 still competes in the same luxury segment, but with the model already looking good with the given updates and with it providing so many praises already, we can only say that it is good that they did not change a whole lot about the model.

A luxury crossover for people who like to drive | 2018 Audi Q5 First - www.autoblog.com

The new Q5's interior is a tidy and nicely outfitted space, with upscale, modern-feeling options like a choice of open-pore wood or real aluminum trim, and techy bits like the Q7- style electronic shift knob and the so-called Virtual Audi First Drives Crossover Luxury 2018 audi q5 audi audi q5 review.

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